Smithers is considering a proposal for a crematoriam facility to be built built near Slack Road near the airport.<\/p>\n
Director Mark Fisher represents the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako<\/a> Electoral Area A which includes Smithers and the Village of Telkwa.<\/p>\n When asked about the possible concerns from the public, Fisher said \"it is in someone's backyard, and I can understand why someone might not want that .\"<\/p>\n The original applicant for this rezoning process was Smithers resident Laurel Menzel<\/a>. She later retracted her application due to \"too many clerical errors\" and not realizing how much administration was involved in this process (according to a Smithers Interior News article<\/a>).<\/p>\n Later, that application received corporate support by West-End Ventures, a company owned by Colin Bruintjes, who is the current landowner.<\/p>\n The Advisory Planning Committee (made up of the applicant, directors of the regional district, and town council members) held a meeting to discuss the reasons for and against a crematorium and rezoning of the land usage.<\/p>\n Just the mention of a crematorium has members of Smithers\u2019 public speaking out against the land use. Some residents fear the safety of a crematorium facility\u2014the emissions and environmental factors\u2014and some just don\u2019t want to be reminded of death on a regular basis (especially for those who live nearby the proposed area).<\/span><\/p>\n